US begins withdrawing 1,000 troops, equipment from Lithuania

The withdrew forces are expected to be replaced by a new group of soldiers. However, the time and size of the next deployment has not yet been confirmed, as the United States is reviewing its military stance in Europe, Telegrafi reports, broadcast. Periscope.

Some sources within Lithuania's defence sector confirmed the withdrawal. President Davidas Matoulionis' top national security adviser also confirmed some of the information.

The LRT notes that in recent years, American troops' rotations in Lithuania have been almost continuous. After Ukraine's full invasion of Russia, the presence expanded to an almost permanent rotation of about 1,000 or more service members, along with combat equipment.

According to officials, the current transition period could lead to a gap longer than usual in the presence of American troops on the ground, though a subsequent rotation is still expected.

The president's adviser said Lithuania has received security from the United States that American troops will remain in the country, despite an ongoing review of the position of American forces in Europe.

We have received a very clear assurance from the Americans that the bodies were and will remain, but cannot specify the exact number today. The American troop routine includes logistics, so it's natural that certain time gaps"can occur, said Davidas Matulinis.

The report notes that since 2019, the United States has regularly established battalion-sized contingents in Lithuania, and after the full-scale war began in Ukraine, their presence expanded. /Periscope